Ultrasound Specialist

Capital Women's Care

OB-GYNs located in Arlington, VA & McLean, VA

When patients need an ultrasound, whether it's during pregnancy or for another reason, it's especially convenient to be able to have the ultrasound on site. The team of experienced OB/GYNs at Capital Women's Care are pleased to provide the most sophisticated tools and techniques, including saline ultrasound scans, for the convenience of their Arlington and McLean, Virginia area patients.

Ultrasound Q&A

What should you do before an abdominal ultrasound?

When you're having an abdominal ultrasound, you need to have a full bladder. Drink at least two glasses of water an hour or so before the ultrasound. Don't drink water to the point of pain, because it's vital that you avoid voiding until your ultrasound is over.

What is the ultrasound schedule during pregnancy?

Your ultrasound schedule during pregnancy depends on your specific health, the health of your baby, and other individual factors. Most women have their first ultrasound -- sometimes called the "gender ultrasound" because your doctor can often tell the baby's gender at this point -- at around 18-20 weeks. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may have an earlier ultrasound as well.

You may not need further ultrasounds during pregnancy, but if potential problems develop your doctor may order an ultrasound to check on the baby's health.

What can you learn from a pregnancy ultrasound?

During a pregnancy ultrasound, you can learn several important things, including:

Your approximate due date

Whether you have one baby or multiples

What position your baby's in within the womb

Whether there are any birth defects

Your baby's current size

Where the placenta is located

When do you need a saline ultrasound?

Your Capital Women's Care OB/GYN may do a saline ultrasound for several reasons. If you have any of the problems below, a saline ultrasound can yield valuable information about the issue.

Heavy bleeding

Prolonged periods

Painful intercourse

Severe cramps during menstruation

Infertility

The saline ultrasound allows your doctor to see the uterine interior, as well as the lining of the entire endometrial cavity. That can help your doctor diagnose problems and determine the cause of issues so treatment can begin.

How do you prepare for a saline ultrasound?

As with abdominal ultrasounds, Capital Women's Care does saline ultrasounds on site as an outpatient procedure. You don't need a full bladder for a saline ultrasound, but your OB/GYN may recommend that you take some over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate any minor discomfort during the procedure.

Whether you're pregnant or having problems like infertility and heavy bleeding, an ultrasound at Capital Women's Care can help you get the answers you need. Use the online appointment maker to arrange your visit now!